Journal profile · Geochemistry & Geophysics
Applied Geochemistry
ISSN 0883-2927 · eISSN 1872-9134 · Elsevier Ltd · ENGLAND · Monthly · Founded 1986
Applied Geochemistry: CAS Zone 3 · Earth Sciences (2025 upgraded edition); impact factor 3.48; hybrid open access; APC about USD 3,490; review about 163 days (submission to acceptance, publisher); community-reported acceptance: easy; 276 articles in 2025; indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Scope
Aims, scope and focus
Applied Geochemistry is published by Elsevier Ltd and is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences in the CAS Journal Ranking (2025 upgraded edition). By OpenAlex counts of its recent articles, its largest topics are Groundwater and Isotope Geochemistry, Heavy metals in environment and Mine drainage and remediation techniques, together about 28.2% of its articles. (generated from OpenAlex topic counts and CAS ranking data)
Journal of the International Association of GeoChemistryEstablished in 1986, Applied Geochemistry is an impactful international journal that aims to offer a dynamic venue for the global geochemical community to present and share original research, critical reviews, perspective and viewpoints, which have some practical applications or implications to human endeavour and wellbeing. The journal strives to publish rigorous and robust papers for a multidisciplinary and diverse audience of scientists, practitioners, policy makers in the broad environmental geoscience community. Applied Geochemistry facilitated the diffusion of numerous scientifically-novel, policy-changing and thought-leading knowledges in the field. Applied Geochemistry is the official journal of the International Association of GeoChemistry (IAGC). Applied Geochemistry embrace the global community of geochemical researchers who play the roles as our authors, reviewers, editors and readers. More information about the International Association of GeoChemistry can be found at the society website:http://www.iagc-society.orgAG has been at the forefront of the human endeavours in resource exploration and the (subsequent) environmental protection in the last several decades, serving the geochemical community with a reliable and dynamic source of research and knowledge about the earth systems. Papers on applications of inorganic, organic and isotope geochemistry and geochemical processes are therefore welcome provided they meet the main criterion. Spatial and temporal monitoring case studies are only of interest to our international readership if they present new ideas of broad application. Theoretical and fundamental studies applying geochemical methodologies are also welcome provided they have a well-justified application aspect.Themes covered include:Environmental Geochemistry and Biogeochemical CyclingHydrogeochemistry and HydrogeologyContaminants Processes, Impacts and RemediationGeochemical Dynamics across Air-Water-Soil InterfacesMedical Geochemistry and HealthGeochemistry in Environmental Disasters and SustainabilityMineral and Energy Resources Exploration and RecoveryThis journal welcomes contributions that support and advance the UN's sustainable development goals, in particular SDG 3 (Good health and well - being), SDG 6 (Clear water and sanitation) and SDG 13, (Climate Action)
From the journal's Aims & Scope
Research area (LetPub): Geochemistry & Geophysics
Editor-in-chief Elisa SacchiPublisher website
Editorial board by country: 18 in mainland China (about 31%); most named Mainland China 18, United States 15, Germany 6, Canada 3, Australia 3 (59 members with a country) Editorial board ↗Publisher website ·
Main research topics OpenAlex counts of recent articles; shares are approximate
- Groundwater and Isotope GeochemistryEarth and Planetary Sciences10.6%
- Heavy metals in environmentEnvironmental Science9.1%
- Mine drainage and remediation techniquesEnvironmental Science8.6%
- Geochemistry and Geologic MappingComputer Science7.4%
- Groundwater flow and contamination studiesEnvironmental Science7%
- Radioactive element chemistry and processingChemistry5.9%
- Hydrocarbon exploration and reservoir analysisEngineering5.4%
- Geochemistry and Elemental AnalysisEarth and Planetary Sciences5%
Rankings & indexing
CAS ranking and database indexing
CAS Journal Ranking
CAS Journal Ranking, upgraded edition (March 2025)Earth Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
CAS Xinrui Journal Ranking (March 2026)Earth Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: not marked
CAS Journal Ranking, previous upgraded edition (December 2023)Earth Sciences Zone 3
| Level | Category | Zone |
|---|---|---|
| Major | Earth Sciences | Zone 3 |
| Minor | Geochemistry & Geophysics | Zone 3 |
Top journal: noReview journal: no
Database indexing
SCIEScopusLetPub
International journal early-warning lists: not listed in any editionLetPub
Editions, and major and minor categories, are shown separately and never merged into one zone; check which edition your institution uses before you submit or report.
Metrics
Impact metrics and publication volume
Impact
- Impact factor
- 3.48LetPub ·
- Impact factor (publisher)
- 3.5Publisher website ·
- CiteScore 2026-06
- 6.8LetPub ·
- CiteScore (publisher)
- 6.8Publisher website ·
- SJR 2026-06
- 1.02LetPub ·
- SNIP 2026-06
- 1.1LetPub ·
- h-index
- 114LetPub ·
- h-index
- 188OpenAlex ·
- i10-index
- 4,908OpenAlex ·
- 2-year mean citedness
- 3.11OpenAlex ·
- Self-citation rate
- 5.7%LetPub ·
- Share of gold OA articles
- 31.55%LetPub ·
Volume
- Articles per year
- 245LetPub ·
Articles by year OpenAlex count · 7,353 in total · the current year is incomplete
| Year | Articles | Open access | Citations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 322 | 120 | 135 |
| 2025 | 276 | 116 | 674 |
| 2024 | 267 | 127 | 1,880 |
| 2023 | 242 | 89 | 2,658 |
| 2022 | 282 | 83 | 4,480 |
| 2021 | 239 | 79 | 4,876 |
Sources count differently and were observed at different times, so each source's own value is kept; "publisher" marks figures from the journal's website.
Review & acceptance
Review time and acceptance
Publisher-reported review time from the journal's website
163 dayssubmission to acceptance · community reports about 6 months
The publisher's own definition applies; dates from this journal's articles in the last 24 months are not available yet, so the publisher's figure is used.
Figures by source
- Average review time (community reports)
- about 6 monthsLetPub ·
- Average acceptance (community reports)
- EasyLetPub ·
- Submission to first decision
- 21 daysPublisher website ·
- First decision after review
- 84 daysPublisher website ·
- Submission to acceptance
- 163 daysPublisher website ·
- Acceptance to publication
- 2 daysPublisher website ·
- Peer review
- Single-anonymous peer review, at least 2 reviewersPublisher website · model-extracted
Community reports come from authors' own submissions (confidence 0.5) and are not a promise from the journal; for publisher figures, the journal's own definitions apply.
Fees & open access
APC and open-access policy
Hybrid open accessLetPub
A subscription journal in which authors can pay to publish their article open access.
| Source | APC | Fee waiver | License | Observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OpenAlex | USD 3,490 / EUR 3,260 / GBP 2,790 / JPY 432,860 | — | — | |
| Publisher website | USD 3,650 | — | — |
A hybrid journal charges the APC only when the author chooses open access; publishing under the subscription model is usually free.
The journal's website is authoritative for fees; sources were observed at different times and each keeps its own value, without averaging.
Submission
Article types and submission policies (journal website)
Open calls for papers4, by deadline
- Geochemical Lenses into Environmental Legacies and Futures of Energy and Mineral ResourcesDeadline
- 35 Years of Geochemistry in MexicoDeadline
- Chemistry and Migration Behaviour of Actinides and Fission Products. Migration Conference 2025Deadline
- “From solid to fluid geochemistry” In memory of Barbara Nisi and Paolo CensiDeadline
What to prepare5 items from the author guidelines
- Abstract
- ≤ 250 words
- Keywords
- 1–7
- Reference style
- Author–date
- Highlights
- Required
- Graphical abstract
- Optional
Policy excerpts from the journal's websiteAI use, Authorship, Conflicts of interest, Publication ethics, License & copyright, Open access, Peer review, Preprints
- AI use Declaration of generative AI use
Authors must declare the use of generative AI tools in the manuscript preparation process upon submission of the paper.Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies (“AI tools”) have been rapidly adopted in research and scholarly publishing, offering significant benefits while requiring clear standards for responsible and transparent use.Authors preparing a manuscript for this journal may use AI tool…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Authorship Group authorship
Group authorship refers to the attribution of an article to a defined and named group of authors whose members have contributed to the work. Examples include research consortia, clinical trial groups, collaborative networks, task forces or working groups, expert panels or consensus groups, and participatory research groups. Group authorship must be declared on the title page at submission. When av…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Conflicts of interest Declaration of competing interests
All authors must disclose any financial and personal relationships with other people or organizations that could inappropriately influence or bias their work. Examples of potential competing interests include:EmploymentConsultanciesStock ownershipHonorariaPaid expert testimonyPatent applications or registrationsGrants or any other fundingAffiliation with the journal as an Editor or Advisory Board …
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Publication ethics
Follow Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy. Model summary
Authors must follow ethical guidelines stated in Elsevier's Publishing Ethics Policy.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- License & copyright License options
Authors will be offered open access user license options which will determine how you, and third parties, can reuse your open access article. We advise that you review these options and any funding body license requirements before selecting a license option.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Open access Open access
Open access options available. Model summary
We refer you to our open access information page to learn about open access options for this journal.
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Peer review Peer review
Single anonymized review process. Model summary
This journal follows a single anonymized review process. Your submission will initially be assessed by our editors. If your submission is deemed suitable, it will typically be sent to be reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers for an independent expert assessment of the scientific quality. The decision as to whether your article is accepted or rejected for publication will be made by our editors.Re…
Source ↗Publisher website ·- Preprints Preprints
Preprint sharing allowed, not counted as prior publication. Model summary
Preprint sharingAuthors may share preprints in line with Elsevier's article sharing policy. Sharing preprints, such as on a preprint server, will not count as prior publication.We advise you to read our policy on multiple, redundant or concurrent publication.
Source ↗Publisher website ·
Excerpts are quoted from the journal's website; "model summary" lines are written by Workers AI and checked against the text. The journal's website is authoritative.
Profile
Publication details and official links
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Country or region
- ENGLAND
- Language
- English
- Frequency
- Monthly
- Founded
- 1986
- ISSN
- 0883-2927
- Electronic ISSN
- 1872-9134
- Official links
- Journal homepage ↗OpenAlex
- Submission system ↗Publisher website
- Special issues ↗Publisher website
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Applied Geochemistry
What CAS zone is Applied Geochemistry in?
In the 2025 upgraded edition of the CAS Journal Ranking, Applied Geochemistry is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences, and in Zone 3 of the minor category Geochemistry & Geophysics. In the 2026 Xinrui edition it is in Zone 3 of Earth Sciences. Zones from different editions, and from major and minor categories, are not interchangeable.
What is the impact factor of Applied Geochemistry?
The latest impact factor listed by LetPub is 3.48; CiteScore 6.8, h-index 188.
How long does peer review take at Applied Geochemistry?
The publisher reports about 163 days (submission to acceptance); authors report an average review time of about 6 months; the community-reported acceptance is “Easy”. Article statistics cover accepted papers only, publisher figures follow the journal's own definitions, and community reports come from authors' own submissions; none is a promise from the journal.
What are the manuscript requirements of Applied Geochemistry?
According to the journal's author guidelines: Abstract: ≤ 250 words; Keywords: 1–7; Reference style: Author–date; Highlights: Required; Graphical abstract: Optional. A model extracted these from the author guidelines and each was checked against the text; check the latest version on the journal's website before submitting.
Where are the editorial board members of Applied Geochemistry based?
Of the 59 board members whose country the journal's board page names, 18 (about 31%) are in mainland China; the countries named most often are Mainland China (18), United States (15) and Germany (6). Counted from the institutions listed on the board page; for reference only.
Which databases index Applied Geochemistry?
According to LetPub and DOAJ records, Applied Geochemistry is indexed in SCIE and Scopus.
Is Applied Geochemistry open access, and what is the APC?
Applied Geochemistry is a hybrid journal. For open-access publication: APC about USD 3,490.
Sources and updates
The facts on this page come from LetPub, Publisher website, OpenAlex; every figure is tagged with its source and the date it was observed, and conflicting values are kept per source. LetPub source page: view ↗ (archived 2026-08-26). Last updated: .